Body of Song

Bob Mould

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 26, 2005)
• Original Release Date: July 26, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Yep Roc Records
• ASIN: B0009VI50C
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #123,908 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Loudly hailed as the former Minnesotan's return to rock form since 2002's flawed but interesting electronic outing Modulate, Body of Song, is a surprisingly enjoyable record that mixes and matches swaths of sound from the last twenty years of the burly dude's career. As a solo artist, his songs tend to be anthemettes loaded with deep personal feelings and sung in that trademark roller coaster caterwaul that defined his two rock bands, Hüsker Dü and Sugar. More than anything, Bob Mould has always made honest records that ask the listener to ditch past expectations. There are some great, rousing songs on here; "Circles" and "Missing You" will please any rocker in need of sheets of loud guitars. Unfortunately, the two most ‘clubby' tracks on here, "(Shine Your) Light Love Hope" and "I Am Vision, I Am Sound," rely on very dated dance-pop sounds such as vocoder'd vocals and cheesy programming. The album's most interesting songs are those that truly mix the electronic and rock elements; the slowly percolating, highly textured "Always Tomorrow"and the rousing single "Paralyzed." More like these next time, please. –Mike McGonigal

Product Description

Bob Mould returns to his signature guitar sound and songwriting style with Body of Song, his first release on Yep Roc Records. Mould's sound inspired a generation of post-hardcore punk rockers who helped create and define the alternative rock movement. Written and recorded mostly over the course of the past year, Body Of Song is Mould's first new album-length release since 2002, and his first since the mid-90s to employ a guitar-heavy full-band approach ('Paralyzed,' 'Circles'). Guest musicians include Brendan Canty (Fugazi), David Barbe (Sugar), Matt Hammon (1998 Bob Mould Band), and Amy Domingues (Garland Of Hours). 2005. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bob finds balance, July 26, 2005

By	Little Knives Guy (Bucks County, PA USA) - See all my reviews

With Body of Song, Bob Mould - arguably one of the most talented singer/songwriter/guitar-heroes of the last twenty years (indie or otherwise) -- has finally found a balance between what he does best (searing guitar indie angst anthems) and where his experiments in sound (as DJ, producer, and electronic artist) have since taken him.

The same themes are here: loss, regret and the urgency of time, but there's also a strong undercurrent of hope, or at least confidence in the wake of loss. And that confidence is bolstered by a kick-butt rhythm section, courtesy of Fugazi drummer Brendan Canty and SUGAR alum, bassist Dave Barbe.

As if meant to act as chemical catalyst to combine all parts of his career, the album begins appropriately enough with "Circles," a thematic and sonic fusion of the best that is Bob Mould. And circles spiral from there, coming back around to remind the listener of the various stages that have led Bob to this point: from Husker Du to his solo work in the early nineties, from SUGAR to Loudbomb and back again. But make no mistake, this is new music. And without abandoning the electronica/dance influences that have obviously become a seminal part of the Bob Mould arsenal, Body of Song rocks.

1) Circles: a slow build. dynamic, hypnotic, and heartbreaking. One of the best tracks from Bob in years.
2) (Shine Your) Light Love Hope: a throw-away dance track at first listen, but one that reveals some interesting guitar work on further plays. Then the entire track gets in your head.
3) Paralyzed: the single, and for good reason. What could easily have been a SUGAR arrangement gets tweaked electronically with one of the better Bob uses of keyboards ever.
4) I am Vision, I am Sound: somewhat repetitive opening becomes an all-out rocker once the rhythm section kicks in.
5) Underneath Days: Darker, angrier Bob that plays well positioned here in the middle of the album. A needed descent.
6) Always Tomorrow: A little muddy and over-produced, but one of those songs that sneaks up on you as you continue to play the album through.
7) Days of Rain: One of those bittersweet Bob love songs that fans will immediately know and love.
8) Best Thing: Could easily be a SUGAR track.
9) High Fidelity: Once you hear the tubular bells and Hammond organ in the arrangement, you know this ain't no Workbook wannabe, but the acoustic base of this ballad is solid.
10) Missing You: From the layered harmonies to the power chords, close your eyes and this IS a SUGAR track. For fans who think Bob has strayed too far into electronica, this is your reminder that the guy can rock.
11) Gauze of Friendship: The closest to an "acoustic" song on the album, and a treat for fans of the simple pleasure of Bob playing guitar while somber strings support him. Reminiscent of "Along the Way" from LDAPS.
12) Beating Heart the Prize: A little weak for a closing track. Still, as would be expected on a Bob Mould album closer, there's some noise, some angst, some length, and some semblance of resolution.

Without even considering Body of Song, Bob Mould has earned his place as indie rock icon. With Body of Song, he reminds us why, pushing his talent forward, making no apology for the often chaotic and at times, disjointed, but nonetheless powerful hybrid that is his signature sound.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars His best since FUEL, August 3, 2005

By	J. Olson "Heffe" (Chico, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There have been some glowing reviews for this CD. Entertainment Weekly gave this an A-!! I will buck the trend and say that giving it an A- is putting it on par with Black Sheets of Rain or FUEL (Workbook, Copper Blue and Beaster being A+ material). However, I don't think it really compares to those CDs. I give this CD 3.5 stars, but will round down to 3 to offset the 5 star reviews it has recieved. Here is a review of each song.

(1) Circles - 3 stars - A bit boring and retetitive for an opener, but a good song.
(2) (Shine Your) Love Light Hope - 2 stars - If I never hear that vocal modulation effect again it will be too soon. This song was released early on the internet to whet our appetites. I almost didn't buy the CD because of this song. It becomes marginally better at the bridge, but it still makes me cringe. Boring drums, no hook, just....blah. Cher absolutely ruined me on the voice modulation.
(3) Paralized - 5 stars - Among his best ever. Driving guitar and drums, great chorus. As noted by others, Sugaresque, with slight, non-irritating use of keyboards.
(4) I Am Vision, I Am Sound - 3 stars - Despite a frightening start with (once again) the voice modulation, this song kicks it in gear. Pretty repetitive, though.
(5) Underneath Days - 5 stars - Great, powerful song. Sugaresque.
(6) Always Tomorrow - 3 stars - Interesting song. A trip-hop bass line, driving drums (too much cymbal), distorted guitar, Bob's subdued voice. I don't want to like it, but it's infectious. Again, a bit repetitive.
(7) Days of Rain - 5 stars - Nice, quiet Bob. Great Chorus. Great song.
(8) Best Thing - 2 stars - I can't get into this song. It has no personality. Thankfully, it's short.
(9) High Fidelity - 4 stars - A great song. Quiet, relaxing and...wait, what are those f*****g bells doing there?!? Ahhh!!! Bad Bob!!! No fruit cup for you...and you lose a star.
(10) Missing You - 4 stars - Good song. Very Sugaresque.
(11) Gauze of Friendship - 4 stars - Another good soft song. Reminds me of Can't Fight It from the No Alternative Comp... and a little of Explode and Make Up...with a Black Sheets of Rain vibe.
(12) Beating Heart the Prize - 4 stars - Good song. Is that some voice modulation I hear? I can't quite tell, so I'll give him the benefit of a doubt. Also reminds me of something off of Black Sheets.

Well, now I'm feeling a bit guilty for only giving this 3 stars. There are some real keepers here, and even the songs that only rate a 2 have some redeeming quality about them. I wish I could give this a 3.5. Curse you, Amazon!

I have listened to Bob since the late Husker days. I have seen him perform several times. I consider myself a big fan. I wish I could get into his later releases, but I haven't really enjoyed any cd, as a whole, since FUEL. This CD is a refreshing change from his slump of mediocrity. I hope he continues on this path and stays out of the DJ booth. He is a great guitar player and stage presence, and I have missed him.

No...3 stars does not do this CD justice. I give...4 stars.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars takes you where you want to go, August 10, 2005

By	Laurie S. Wagner (alameda, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I can't begin to give the detail in this review that the other reviewers have, but I'm a mother of two small kids and over the years I have relied on Bob to get me through some tough times with his insistance and his energy and how under your skin his rock and his melody can be. This new CD comes at a tender time in my life. I am certain that listening to it as I have for the past two days has gotten me through the muck and mire of my current world. I only hope I don't over-play it.

Bob rocks. Thank god for Bob.